DOZENS of soldiers in the Welsh regiments have been caught taking illicit drugs, the Western Mail can reveal.

Troops in The Royal Welsh, The Welsh Gunners and The Welsh Guards failed about 70 drug tests in the past three years.

A Welsh MP last night said our findings were further proof that drug abuse had become a serious problem in the British Army.

Elfyn Llwyd, Plaid Cymru’s parliamentary leader, urged the Army to finally admit that its servicemen turned to drugs to cope with war and their return to civilian life.

Our investigation comes as a probe was this week launched into claims that British troops are involved in heroin trafficking in Afghanistan.

A Freedom of Information request by the Western Mail showed that of the 2,800 compulsory drugs tests carried out on soldiers with The Royal Welsh, about 40 tested positive.

The Welsh Gunners failed up to 24 of their 1,910 drugs tests between 2007 and 2009, while The Welsh Guards failed about 18 of their 750 tests. The Ministry of Defence (MoD), however, refused to release exact numbers to protect the identity of individual soldiers.

The figures showed most of the positive tests related Class A drugs such as cocaine, amphetamines or heroin. The Queen’s Dragoon Guards was the only Welsh regiment not to fail a drugs test.

As chairman of the Justice Unions Parliamentary Group, Mr Llwyd earlier this year launched an action plan to stop ex-servicemen descending into a life of crime and addictions after they are discharged.

He said there was “no doubt” that there was a drugs problem in the Army adding: “I’ll tell you why, because it looms large in the situations where we see ex-service personnel in jail. Although it appears to me it’s not as bad in the Welsh regiments as elsewhere, for that I am pleased.”

“Regardless of regiment, we need to address this problem,” he said. “When these young people come under considerable strain out in theatre they self-medicate by taking these substances. Once you start doing that it is so difficult, as we all know, to kick the habit and not is enough is being done.

“The American military realise that drugs are a major issue in young soldiers trying to cope with some of the things they witness and they have programmes in place, but the British almost want to deny that military take drugs.

“You hear the military referring to excessive use of alcohol, but not drug-taking. It’s part and parcel of our failure to back up these young people, we expect them to give up everything but when they return we give them very little.”

Mr Llwyd said discharged soldiers needed help to retrain and access to housing so that they don’t turn to drink or drugs.

A spokeswoman for drug treatment charity Addaction yesterday revealed its ambition to work with the Army to target drug abuse among troops.

She said the organisation had previously helped both serving and ex-military personnel treat their drug addictions.

“Treatment and early intervention for servicemen that have become dependant on alcohol and drugs is essential,” she said.

“There is clearly a need, particularly with the current situation in Afghanistan where there is easy access to Class A drugs.”

Martin Barnes, chief executive of DrugScope, added: “Although the Army is right to take a tough position on drug use among serving soldiers – for reasons of safety, morale and discipline – there is an important role for education, advice and support.

“Disciplinary action should not involve dismissal when there is an opportunity for rehabilitation and future good service.”

The MoD yesterday failed to respond to questions posed by the Western Mail, but in its FOI response said the Army “does not tolerate drug abuse within its ranks”.

It also said that the “overwhelming majority” of those who test positive to drugs were discharged.

“The Army recognises that a small minority of soldiers do take drugs, however, it should be stressed that drugs misuse is not widespread and is contained by the deterrent effect of tests as well as a vigorous drug education programme,” the statement said.

“Drug misuse is significantly less prevalent among service personnel than in society at large.

“The vast majority of those relatively few soldiers who do succumb are of the same 16 to 24 age group among whom drug misuse is most prevalent in civilian society.”